Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West CenterWith Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

Guam Authorities Mum As To Testing Of Murder SuspectNo word on whether or not DeSoto was under the influence

By Geraldine Castillo

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Marianas Variety Guam, Feb. 20, 2013) – Government officials on Guam are unable to comment on whether the murder suspect involved in the Feb. 12 Tumon rampage that left three dead and several others injured was under the influence of any drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.

Questions to the Guam Police Department were redirected to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) for comments or information regarding the case; however, the same inquiry faced a blank wall.

The Variety asked whether any tests were conducted on 21-year-old Chad Ryan DeSoto to determine whether he was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at the time of arrest.

Carlina Charfauros, spokesperson for the AGO, said the office was unable to confirm or deny whether DeSoto had been tested.

"Testing conducted on DeSoto after his arrest is a part of the investigation process and is something that we are unable to confirm or deny at this time," she said.

In many cases, such as DUIs, typical police procedures involve conducting a breath test to determine the suspect’s blood alcohol content. The information would then be contained in court documents if the suspect is charged.

In the magistrate complaint against DeSoto, there is no indication whether blood or toxicology tests had been conducted as factors that led to his actions last week Tuesday.

Mental health

Meanwhile, a Department of Corrections (DOC) official confirmed that a mental health evaluation was performed on DeSoto last week by Dr. Andrea Leitheiser.

"Basically what happened was when [DeSoto] came in, the officers who brought him in – and this is part of normal procedures – were concerned, being the nature of his crime, so as a precaution, we had Dr. Andrea Leitheiser come down and see DeSoto," said DOC spokesperson Lt. Antone Aguon, who confirmed DeSoto was evaluated last Friday.

Because the report concerns a patient’s personal medical records, details of the evaluation will not be available to the public.

"She did see him. As of now he is not on any suicide watch or anything like that," Aguon added. "He’s stable."

DeSoto is currently housed in a single cell at the detention facility in Hagåtña. No family members have visited DeSoto yet, and Aguon said a visitation request made by Japanese media was denied.